The Cirque of the Towers hosts rugged terrain with massive mountain spires towering above clear glacial lakes, colorful wildflowers, and alpine meadows. This Wyoming backpacking route covers up to 25 miles round trip, averaging six miles per day with an elevation change near 1,700 feet. The hikes vary from relatively flat trail through forested sections to high elevation passes with rocky terrain. We’ll also encounter alpine lakes as we hike to the Cirque of the Towers. The trailhead is at 9,080 feet in elevation and the highest point may reach over 10,800 feet. This can be a challenging hike, but the pace is more relaxed to welcome beginner backpackers. Participants will have an incredible experience, especially if they prepare in advance to be in strong physical condition. *Participants must be able to hike about six miles a day with a 30 to 40 pound backpack. We are partnered with Thomson Outfitters to provide these transformative hiking adventures for women.
CLASSIC WYOMING BACKPACKING RETREAT | WIND RIVERS, WYOMING
Cirque of the Towers
Wind River Range, WY
Choose a date to join!
What to Expect
Day 1
Arrive in Pinedale, Wyoming and enjoy a meal at the award-winning Pitchfork Fondue. We’ll go over the Wind River backpacking retreat itinerary and hand out the gear you’ll use. We also make sure everyone has the appropriate items for an enjoyable experience. Then, we pack our bags and head to the Big Sandy Lake trailhead for our first night of camping.
- Lunch at Pitchfork Fondue
- Review itinerary/Distribute gear
- Set up camp
- Dinner
Day 2
Our approach begins with a six mile hike to Big Sandy Lake while we learn about Leave No Trace (LNT) principles and how we’ll apply it at the retreat. When we arrive at camp, we set up for the night, make dinner, and have a beautiful evening around the fire as we have our first fireside chat together as a group.
- Breakfast, and drive to trailhead for our 6 mile hike to Big Sandy Lake
- Leave No Trace lesson
- Set up camp
- Dinner
- Fireside chat
Day 3
Start your day with breakfast and warm drinks around a fire. Shortly after, we’ll pack our day packs and lunches for a hike to two beautiful serene high alpine lakes. We hike about seven miles until we reach a spot to enjoy our lunch lakeside. Relax, reflect, and practice yoga on the mountain slabs. Next, we head back to camp, prepare dinner and enjoy ourselves around the fire with another group chat.
- Hot breakfast & Seven mile hike to alpine lakes
- Bag lunch and Yoga lake side
- Dinner
- Fireside chat
Day 4
This is the day everyone awaits. We start with an early breakfast and warm drinks as we pack for our Cirque of the Towers Sunrise Summit. This is a six mile round trip ascent with 1,400 feet elevation gain. We spend most of the day on the summit as we behold the scenery and vastness of this range. We end the day at camp around the fire with laughs, dinner, and our last moments around the fire together.
- Six mile sunrise summit to Cirque of the Towers
- Bag lunch & Downtime on the mountain
- Dinner with fireside chat
Day 5
Pack up camp and enjoy the lightness of your pack as we hike the six miles out. We drive back to Pinedale to unload, do a gear check, and say our goodbyes!
- Hot breakfast
- Pack up camp
- Six mile hike out
- Drive to Pinedale
- Return gear
"Trips like this are memorable, life changing, and a straight up good time. It gives you a chance to slow down, check-in with yourself, be freely and completely yourself, and make connections with other like-minded women. I felt so inspired, empowered, encouraged, and motivated by all the women in the group and by learning how to challenge myself in the art of backpacking. I walked away with an overflowing heart, solidified spirit of adventure, outdoor knowledge, great friends, and a revived appreciation for life in general. I'd highly recommend it to anyone! ”
Choose a date to join!
We are very fortunate to partner with Thomson Outfitters of Pinedale, WY who align with our mission. Thomson outfitters is one of the oldest outfitting businesses in the state of Wyoming and is still family owned and operated by Todd and Bev Stevie. We appreciate their support and invite you to take a look at their services and what they offer! We are happy to continue this partnership.
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FAQs
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Refund Policy
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Packing List
Which airport should I fly into?
The closest commercial airports are in Jackson (77 miles), Rock Springs (100 miles), Idaho Falls (190 miles), and Salt Lake City (250 miles).
Will someone be there to pick me up or do I need to arrange my own transportation to our meeting point?
You will need to make your own arrangements. Participants are encouraged to carpool. You will receive a link with information and tools to communicate with other participants when the retreat gets closer.
When does the retreat begin & conclude?
We will arrive at Pitchfork Fondue at 2pm in Pinedale, WY and will depart the last day late afternoon usually around 2pm
RETREAT CANCELLATIONS
It is your responsibility to read and understand our cancellation policy before making a reservation.
Naturally, no one books with the intention of cancelling or postponing their retreat, but unexpected things do happen, so please purchase travel cancellation insurance once you have made your reservation.
GUEST CANCELLATION POLICY
If you cancel your trip, AndShesDopeToo does not offer refunds for any reason. A portion of your payment may be used as credit for another retreat to be taken the next calendar year.
Depending on when you cancel, cancellation penalties may apply.
Fees are determined by the following schedule:
- If you cancel more than 90 days before your retreat start date, 100% of your payment may be applied to another Retreat.
- If you cancel 89 – 60 days before your retreat start date, 75% of your payment may be applied to another Retreat. You will forfeit 25% of the price of your retreat.
- If you cancel 59 – 30 days before your retreat start date, 40% of your payment may be applied to another Retreat. You will forfeit 60% of the price of your retreat.
- If you cancel 30 days or less before your retreat start date, you will forfeit your entire payment.
Exceptions to our policy cannot be made for any reason. We do not offer credit for a guest arriving late or leaving early.
ASDT RETREAT CANCELLATION POLICY
If AndShesDopeToo must cancel a booked retreat date for any reason, you may transfer your full retreat payment to another retreat, or you may request a refund of your payment to us.
AndShesDopeToo is not responsible for your expenses incurred in preparation for any cancelled retreat, such as airline tickets, loss of work, and/or other costs associated with preparing for your trip.
Here is a list of personal essentials we encourage all participants to bring on this retreat:
- 32 oz. water bottle to store your filtered water
- Hiking shoes or boots that are already broken in
- Water shoes (Chaco type that have a strap)
- Toiletries (keep it simple)
- Sun cover: sunglasses, hat with brim, bandana, sunblock
- Lip balm
- Lightweight waterproof jacket/pants
- Quick drying shorts/shirt
- Long thermals, top and bottom (synthetic, no cotton)
- Insulated layer (light puffy or fleece)
- Lightweight gloves
- 2/3 pairs of hiking socks (no cotton)
- Quick drying underwear/sports bra
Optional Items for comfort:
- Swimsuit
- Lightweight packable camp pillow
- Journal/notebook
- Camera